The High Ground - powered by Premier Companies

Hosted by Premier Companies

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Episodes

236

Latest episode

May 2026

Language

EN-US

About the show

The High Ground - powered by Premier Companies will discuss everything from agriculture to energy. Hosted by Jeff Jarret (VP of New Business & Fertilizer) and Sal Sama (VP of Agronomy Sales & Marketing).

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60 recent

May 4, 2026Episode 23634 min

Agribusiness Council of IN, Ag Lobbying, & Feel Good Songs

How does the ACI educate the legislators who are making decisions that impact the agriculture industry? Melissa Rekewag joins hosts Sal Sama and Jeff Jarrett for today’s episode of The High Ground powered by Premier Companies. Melissa is the President and CEO of the Agribusiness Council of Indiana (ACI).Melissa will share about her extensive background in agriculture and what ultimately led to her the ACI and her appearance on The High Ground podcast. We’ll learn about the makeup of ACI, which is the largest trade association for agribusinesses in Indiana, and ultimately how it impacts state policies and the grower. Melissa will also share how the ACI helps educate policy makers and is able to voice concerns of businesses in a way that’s not connected to the business itself. Finally, Melissa, Sal, and Jeff will discuss the Emerging Professionals Leadership Program (EPLP) which is a year-long program designed to help individuals expand their experience in and knowledge of policy and leadership in the agriculture industry. Interested in seeing what it might look like to join the ACI? Visit https://www.inagribiz.org/ for more information.

April 27, 2026Episode 23526 min

IN Rural Health Association, Handling Stress, & How to Recharge

Have you ever heard anyone say something like, “He’s a typical farmer. He’s built tough and will just power through.” Well, maybe it’s time for this image to go. Special guest Kathy Walker joins hosts Jeff Jarrett and Sal Sama for today’s episode of The High Ground powered by Premier Companies. Kathy has a degree from Purdue University in health promotion and is the Program Director for the Indiana Rural Health Association (IRHA) who handles the programming for Healthy Minds, Healthy Lives.Kathy will share about how she ended up working for IRHA and specifically, how she began working with growers and ag businesses in the areas of mental health and suicide.In addition to her QPR (Question, Persuade, and Refer) and Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) training, you’ll learn how Kathy is equipped to help employers by providing training to assist and refer employees and growers in navigating mental health and stress issues. “Farmers… [are] a demographic that has a high rate of suicide… Yeah, they’re strong, self-sufficient… but they’re also human beings, and we all have our limits.”If you’re struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call or text 988 to reach Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, or reach out to the Purdue Farm Stress team which is a group of professionals who are equipped to resource growers with tools, programs, and additional resources to help handle the day-to-day stresses growers face. You can find out more information about the Purdue Farm Stress team at https://extension.purdue.edu/farm_stress/index.html.

April 20, 2026Episode 23441 min

AgrIInstitute, Agriculture in Africa, & Career Influences

How is the Indiana Agricultural Leadership Program (ALP) working to provide individuals in agriculture and related industries with the leadership skill needed to help them succeed? Luke Schnitker joins hosts Sal Sama and Jeff Jarrett for today’s episode of The High Ground powered by Premier Companies. As you may remember, Luke has been an account manager for Premier and is now their Director of Seed and Crop Protection.Jeff, Sal, and Luke will discuss AgrIInstitute which has been in place since 1982 and exists to help create educational and charitable programs in areas related to agriculture. Luke will share specifically about a program that he’s been participating in called the Indiana Agricultural Leadership Program and the experiences and opportunities it’s provided including an agriculture-based trip to Africa. In addition to learning about the cocoa industry and infrastructure in Ghana, we’ll hear about agriculture in Kenya which is a key contributor to their economy. If you’ve been curious about the opportunities that exist to advance in agriculture, you’re going to want to make sure you tune in!

April 13, 2026Episode 23343 min

IN Department of Transportation, Roundabouts, & Unusual Sights

How does INDOT know when it’s time to replace a bridge or culvert? Special guests Sidney Nierman and Bob Tally join hosts Jeff Jarrett and Sal Sama for this episode of The High Ground powered by Premier Companies. Sidney is the Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) District PR Director and Bob serves as the INDOT District Asset Engineer. In this episode, Bob and Sidney will share about their career paths and how they ended up working for INDOT, and Bob will shed some light on how his team evaluates the various INDOT assets to determine what needs to be repaired or replaced. We’ll also hear how INDOT determines how and when to communicate road closures to motorists and media outlets and how agriculture equipment impacts the modifications that are made to roadways. If you’ve ever been curious about why there are so many additional roundabouts or why there are so many orange barrels on the roadways, this is an episode you’re not going to want to miss!To subscribe to traffic updates from INDOT, visit alerts.indot.in.gov.

April 6, 2026Episode 23254 min

Current Beef Market, Certified Angus Beef, & Market Surprises

Are you interested in getting into the cattle market? Ryan Batt joins hosts Sal Sama and Jeff Jarrett in the podcast room for this episode of The High Ground powered by Premier Companies. As you may remember, Ryan is the Facility Manager for United Producers, Inc. and with meat markets the way they are, he’s become even more of a fan favorite! Ryan, Jeff, and Sal will discuss the current cattle market and the reasons the dairy industry has seen major changes in their breeding methods over the last few years. In addition, you’ll also hear about why the meat markets, including sheep and goat, are booming as well. Ryan will also dig into the various reasons why the current cattle market is likely to stick around and why consumers are still getting a better value compared to other food groups when they purchase beef. Curious about what it means to have beef-on-dairy or Certified Angus Beef (CAB)? You’ll learn about that and more on today’s episode!

March 30, 2026Episode 23150 min

Early Planted Soybeans, Nitrogen Prices, & Spring Planting

With nitrogen prices skyrocketing, how can growers manage nitrogen more effectively? Glenn Longabaugh is back in the podcast room for this episode of The High Ground powered by Premier Companies. Glenn is a farmer and the Technical Agronomist at Premier, and he’s no stranger to the podcast!Glenn, Sal, and Jeff will discuss how temperature changes impact spring planning and why growers should consider planting by temperature and soil conditions instead of a date on the calendar. You’ll also learn about common issues while de-winterizing equipment and best practices for no-till farming. Glenn will share why new data on yield potential has many farmers choosing to plant soybeans before corn and what the conflict with Iran and resulting issues with the Strait of Hormuz has done to nitrogen prices. If you’re like most growers who are concerned about properly managing nitrogen, Glenn’s tips regarding the right rate, timing, form, and place make this an episode you are not going to want to miss!

March 23, 2026Episode 23028 min

Propane Service Logistics, Keep Full Program, & Snow Removal

How does the team at Premier Energy make sure their customers have propane during record cold temperatures? Special and returning guests Bailey Beckmann and Julie Otte join hosts Jeff Jarrett and Sal Sama in the podcast room for today’s episode of The High Ground powered by Premier Companies. As you may remember from a previous episode, Bailey is the Propane Manager and Julie is the Service Manager for Premier Energy, and they are two of the individuals responsible for keeping things running smoothly behind the scenes.Bailey and Julie will share how they navigated the cold temperatures and large snow event of 2026. You’ll also learn how their forecasting models help the team predict how much propane a customer will go through to make sure the propane doesn’t run out. Sal, Jeff, Bailey, and Julie will discuss Premier Energy’s Keep Full program and how it was able to provide peace of mind for customers during the storm. In addition, we’ll hear how Premier Energy is able to assist customers who may have financial concerns. “It doesn’t matter what the price is if you can’t get it… For a few cents more, you get reliable supply, you get good service, and you don’t have to have the anxiety of ‘is my supplier going to take care of me in [these] record cold stretches.’”

March 16, 2026Episode 22923 min

Agronomy Operation, Training Young Employees, & Procrastination

How do you decide how to adopt new technology and bigger machines? Eric Hoene joins hosts Sal Sama and Jeff Jarrett in the podcast room for today’s episode of The High Ground powered by Premier Companies. Eric has been working for Premier for over 30 years and has most recently been managing one of the largest fertilizer plants Premier has. He is now the newly-promoted Director of Operations for Agronomy.Eric will share how his career has evolved over the years and what his transition has looked like as he’s moved into the Director of Operations role. You’ll also learn the opportunities he’s had to work with managers across the agronomy division. Eric will describe the variety of tasks managers end up tackling to make sure operations are running smoothly. Sal, Eric, and Jeff will also discuss the challenges of training new employees who haven’t had a background on the farm. “Come up with a plan. Get with the account manager or branch manager on what the plan is for the season… You can’t communicate too much in season.”

March 9, 2026Episode 22821 min

CEO Transition, Leadership Advice, & Best Farm Tasks

Very special and returning guests Harold Cooper and Ben Hoene join hosts Jeff Jarrett and Sal Sama for today’s episode of The High Ground powered by Premier Companies. Having served Premier for decades and as its current CEO, Harold is looking forward to retirement. Ben has worked alongside Harold for 20 years and is the current Vice President of Energy and incoming CEO. They join us today to discuss the plan for transitioning leadership in light of Harold’s upcoming retirement.Jeff, Sal, Ben, and Harold will discuss how Premier will continue to look to advance and protect the interest of the farmer while maintaining the mission and values Premier has had for decades. From skid loader operator to sales and C-store manager, you’ll learn about the variety of careers Ben has had with Premier over the years. “I’ve just always appreciated this employee group that I’ve felt I’ve been able to work alongside… that genuinely cares about the job they do and genuinely cares about each other.”

March 2, 2026Episode 22725 min

Countervailing Duties, Fertilizer Markets, & Snow Stories

What’s happening in the fertilizer markets? Returning and special guest, Scott Sharp joins hosts Sal Sama and Jeff Jarrett for this episode of The High Ground powered by Premier Companies. As you may remember, Scott is the Senior Vice President for Premier Companies and is very involved in the purchasing and sourcing of Premier’s fertilizer.Jeff, Sal, and Scott will give us an update on the dynamics of the fertilizer industry as a whole and how the digital age has dramatically changed the market’s responses to global events like wars and tariffs. You’ll also learn how countervailing duties impact the agriculture industry in a lasting way and what those do to the cost and availability of fertilizers. Scott will also share how forecasting fertilizer usage has become increasingly difficult and why intel from the growers is so important. “We try to have what they need when they need it and we don’t wanna carry over a bunch of inventory because that hurts our member owners as well when we have added costs that we didn’t need. There’s a lot that goes into it.”